Trending Topics

Medic to make house calls to frequent 911 callers

He’ll look for solutions such as installing handrails or connecting patients to social service organizations to cut down on hospital visits

Herald Net

EVERETT, Wash. — When 911 comes calling in south Snohomish County this year, paramedic Shane Cooper won’t be heading out to help.

The veteran firefighter is going to try a different approach to saving lives — a strategy that seems as simple and commonsense as it is cutting-edge. Essentially, he’ll be trying to prevent the emergency medical calls from happening in the first place.

Cooper will make home visits to some of the most frequent 911 callers in the sprawling Snohomish County Fire District 1. The difference is that he’ll see those people before there’s an emergency, when adrenaline isn’t running high and seconds don’t count.

Read full story: Roving paramedic won’t wait for 911 call to give aid